Parole Officer 1

The Parole & Community Services Division of the Department of Correction is recruiting for full-time Parole Officers at all locations statewide. This posting will be used to create a pool of candidates to fill vacancies at Parole & Community Services locations.

Positions are in the Parole & Community Services Division, locations to be determined based on agency need, in Bridgeport, Hartford, New Haven, Norwich and Waterbury. Scheduled work hours are 40 Hours per week, Monday - Friday. Parole Officers are not eligible for meal money. To be considered for future Parole Officer opportunities at Parole & Community Services, you must submit a completed application through JobAps before the closing date.

In order to be considered for this job opening, you must be a current State of CT employee of the Department of Correction or Board of Pardons and Paroles, who has permanent state status*, and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening.  You must specify your qualifications on your application. 

*For employees in the classified service, permanent status is obtained after successful completion of a working test period.  For employees in the unclassified service, permanent status is obtained after serving in a position for at least six months (full-time or full-time equivalent).

During the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation supporting their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: performance reviews, supervisory references, college transcripts, licensure, etc. at the discretion of the agency.  

Please ensure that your application is complete.  You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State of Connecticut.  Candidates who submit an untimely, incomplete or inaccurate application will not be considered for this employment opportunity.  

Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Jim Faulkner at James.Faulkner@ct.gov or 860-692-7589.

In the Department of Correction, Parole and Community Services and the Board of Pardons and Paroles, this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of tasks in case management, inmate classification systems, counseling, investigation and enforcement activities for an assigned group of offenders.

PAROLE AND COMMUNITY SERVICES: Performs tasks associated with community supervision, guidance and control of an assigned caseload of offenders; conducts preliminary investigations and assists in coordinating and authorizing release of offenders; reviews offender case files; conducts needs assessment and develops a plan for supervision; coordinates development of a rehabilitation program for offenders; makes appropriate referrals to community based programs for necessary treatment and evaluation and monitors offender progress while in treatment; monitors offender progress through contacts with work supervisors, family members, law enforcement agencies, community based programs and educational institutions and recommends changes in program; investigates violations of parole agreements or other performance difficulties; processes violations; performs difficult or hazardous investigations, makes arrests and transports offenders to correctional facilities; utilizes computerized records system to maintain offenders complex case notes and comprehensive offender file; prepares various reports; coordinates and/or participates in remand to custody as necessary; acts as liaison with facility staff, the Board of Pardons and Paroles, law enforcement agencies and the community to ensure continuity of services for offenders; performs related duties as required.
BOARD OF PARDONS AND PAROLES: Performs tasks associated with the review and preparation of case materials for hearings which are reviewed by the Board of Pardons and Paroles; accesses databases and files from various law enforcement agencies and retrieves data relevant to police reports, pre-sentencing information, participation in rehabilitative programs, disciplinary reports and institutional adjustment; verifies parole eligibility and discharge dates; meets with inmates to discuss parole process; coordinates attendance of victims and inmates families at Board of Pardons and Paroles hearings; attends hearings, takes notes and provides information to Board members regarding case files as requested; utilizes computerized records system to maintain offenders complex case notes and comprehensive offender file; prepares various repots; responds to inquiries from offenders, victims, family members or the public; coordinates and/or participates in remands to custody as necessary including out of state remands; acts as liaison with facility staff, Parole and Community Services, law enforcement agencies and the community to ensure continuity of services for offenders; performs related duties as required.

Knowledge of relevant agency policies and procedures; knowledge of criminal behavior; knowledge of individual and group behavior; knowledge of principles and techniques of interviewing; knowledge of evidence-based practices; knowledge of cultural competencies and ethical standards; some knowledge of counseling techniques; some knowledge of investigatory techniques; some knowledge of correctional practices; some knowledge of community resources; interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; ability to prepare clear and concise reports and case histories; ability to learn and retain information; ability to analyze facts and make decisions; ability to perform arithmetical computations; ability to organize time, set priorities and manage caseload tasks; ability to utilize computer software.

Six (6) years of experience in case management or community supervision activities in parole, probation, rehabilitation counseling or social work in a correctional or community setting under the jurisdiction of the Department of Correction or the Criminal Justice System.
NOTES:
Case management is interpreted as having an assigned caseload, performing the initial intake assessments, setting up treatment plans and monitoring client progress.
Community supervision is interpreted as those community settings which provide services to offenders in settings such as Alternative Incarceration Centers. It does not refer to the general population.

1. College training in counseling, criminal justice, human services, psychology, sociology, social work or a closely related field may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equaling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
2. A Master's degree in counseling, criminal justice, human services, psychology, sociology, social work or a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.
3. Two (2) years as a Parole Officer Trainee may be substituted for the General Experience.

1. Incumbents in this class may be required to successfully complete a formal training course in correctional work to develop the knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the class.
2. Incumbents in this class must possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle operator license.
3. Incumbents in this class must be able to obtain and maintain certification to carry and use weapons including firearms and chemical agents.
4. Incumbents in this class must be able to obtain and maintain NCIC/COLLECT certification.
5. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
6. Incumbents in this class may be required to speak a foreign language.

In addition to the checking of references and of facts stated in the application, a thorough background investigation of each candidate may be made before persons are certified for appointment.

1. Incumbents in this class must have general good health, be free from any disease or injury, which would impair health or usefulness and possess and retain sufficient physical strength, stamina, agility, endurance and visual and auditory acuity required to perform the duties of the class.
2. A comprehensive medical examination, including a controlled substance screening, will be required of all applicants upon a conditional offer of employment.

Incumbents in this class may be exposed to a considerable degree of danger of injury or assault by offenders or persons engaged in deviant behavior and from automobile or other accidents, communicable infectious diseases, disagreeable environmental conditions, confinement in a dangerous and volatile prison population and may be required to exert considerable physical effort such as working in tiring positions, lifting and restraining of offenders.

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.